Porcello sharp as Boston powers past Minnesota

Rick Porcello allowed one hit in seven innings, Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi homered, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 9-2 Thursday to avoid a series sweep.

Xander Bogaerts had two RBIs for the Red Sox, who had a season-high 16 hits, and finished6-4 ona road trip through Baltimore, Seattle and Minnesota.

After a first-inning single by Logan Morrison, ending a 0-for- 30 stretch against Boston, Porcello (9-3) retired 19 of 20 Twins hitters, including the last 16. Throwing 97 pitches, he struck out five and walked one.

Porcello finished seven innings for the first time in 10 starts since April 29. His best previous start of the season was April 12 against the Yankees, when he allowed two hits and struck out six in seven innings. YANKEES4, MARINERS3 » Aaron Judge and Miguel Andujar hit two-run homers off James Paxton in the first inning that sent New York past Seattle for a three-game sweep. Luis Severino and the Yankees boosted the best record in the majors to 50-22. They’ve won four in a row and 17 of 21. Seattle has lost a season-high four straight. New York launched eight homers in the sweep and tops baseball with 122 long balls. Giancarlo Stanton homered in the first two games of the series and almost added another, but center fielder Mitch Haniger jumped to reach above the wall to rob him in the opening inning. NATIONALS 4, ORIOLES 2 » Juan Soto hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning, and Washington beat Baltimore in the deciding matchup of a three-game interleague series between neighboring rivals. Anthony Rendon homered for the Nationals, who received seven strong innings from starter Max Scherzer and flawlesswork from their bullpen.